"There's a whole lot of lovin' going on here."

September 26, 2012

It's not as easy as clinking the drinking glasses at the reception to get a bride and groom to kiss. We've all been to weddings where tables have to sing a song with the word LOVE in it for the couple to kiss. Julie Ung and Dana Fukata invented their own kissing game. Guest had to take a chance and roll a large die. The red lips icon = a kiss, but the letter M = model. In other words the guest would have to model how to kiss.

An eager and very young family member wanted the couple to kiss in the worst way, but when he rolled the die, it landed on M. What to do? He's only a kid? Luckily he decided to kiss his mom.

September 06, 2012

June 12 was a happy day for Christine and Rob Jamplis and their daughter as the 3 became 1 family. Moments before the outdoor ceremony at the Ihilani Resort and Spa, Christine made the difficult decision of selecting between 2 beautiful gown choices. Eventually, she wore both--one for the ceremony and the other for the reception.

Their daughter was moved to tears as she witnessed the vows between her parents. The finale of the ceremony was passing under the arch of sabers.

Pastel parasolsmade a stunning photographic statement. First with Christine against the overcast sky after the ceremony and then with thebridemaidsduring the cocktail hour as the girls had aplayful momenttogether.

August 17, 2011

One of the best techniques we use to build rapport with the bridal party is to learn everyone's name. It makes our day challenging and fun.

Sometimes members of the bridal party purposely try to throw us off by switching names or giving us a blank stare when we call them. It can be tricky when there are 2 Brandons or 2 Sarahs or uncommon names.

It might take greater effort when there are 7 bridemaids, 7 groomsmen, 4 flower girls, and 2 ring bearers but, it makes the day a lot more enjoyable. And of course even if we make mistakes, it's better than saying "eh, you".

June 13, 2011

From the simple to the extravagant, many weddings feature a theme. From sports to curios, it's all about the things you love.

Using a theme as simple as color, weddings are now being pimped out. Draping, up-lighting, chair-covers and table linens are used to create a wow factor for the reception. All of these features make a couple's wedding a little more special.

June 08, 2011

The ultimate slumber party is the night before the wedding in the bride's suite. Often times the maid of honor and bridesmaids have the pleasure of spending the last night of single life with the bride.

There is a lot of girl-talk, perhaps a mani or pedi, but most certainly there is an abundance of snacks. Not healthy snacks like carrot sticks and celery; afterall, it's too late to lose weight for the wedding. We're talking comfort food snacks.

Here's a list of snack items we've seen in the bride's suite the morning of the wedding. All we can say is YUM!

February 15, 2011

Everyone gasps when they see the bride for the very first time on her wedding day. What most people are unaware of is the amount time the bride spends primping to achieve that flawless look.

Here is a photo of a makeup artist's tools used to enhance a bride's beauty.

We are not talking about her gown, her shoes, her jewelry, or even the floral bouquet she is about to carry down the aisle. What's involved in the bride's transformation is foundation, shadow, blush, powder, lashes, curling irons, straightening irons, bobby pins, hair spray, q-tips, cotton balls, eye liner...and the list goes on.

The next time you see a gorgeous bride, think about all of the preparation she has to go through to make you gasp.

These are the tools of makeup artist Kaori Leilani Ito at the Royal Hawaiian Hotel on February 12.